More than 250 passengers aboard a Virgin Atlantic flight from London to Mumbai found themselves stranded at Diyarbakir Airport in Turkey for over 40 hours, following an emergency landing that spiraled into a logistical nightmare. The flight, designated VS358, departed from London’s Heathrow Airport at 11:40 AM BST on April 2, 2025, and was scheduled to arrive in Mumbai at 8:10 PM BST the same day. However, it was diverted to Turkey due to a medical emergency involving a 17-year-old girl who suffered a panic attack mid-flight.
Upon landing at around 5 PM BST, the Airbus A350-1000 aircraft experienced a technical issue, rendering it unfit for flight. Passengers described the landing as rough, with the aircraft bouncing upon impact. "We were jolted as the plane hit the runway," recalled Sumit Sheth, a passenger on the flight. After the emergency landing, passengers were taken to a secluded terminal with limited amenities, where they faced a dire situation with inadequate food and sanitation.
Initially, passengers were informed that arrangements would be made to continue their journey shortly. However, within three hours, they were told that the aircraft's tires had been damaged during the landing and that further inspections were necessary. Virgin Atlantic later confirmed that the flight had been cancelled due to the medical diversion and ongoing technical inspections.
As the hours dragged on, passengers expressed their frustration on social media, describing their plight as inhumane. Hanuman Dass, a passenger, tweeted, "My family along with 250+ passengers have been inhumanely treated by @virginatlantic. It's now been 30 hours since @VirginAtlantic flight left London and we are appalled at the lack of humanity and treatment of #Indian and #British citizens." Many passengers reported being confined to a restricted area of the airport with only one toilet available for hundreds of people, exacerbating the already stressful situation.
Food options were scarce; passengers were initially provided with a sandwich and a bottle of water, and for nearly 24 hours, they had to make do with dry snacks and chocolates available at the airport. "We have been starving for nearly 20 hours. When the food finally arrived, it was a non-vegetarian meal where the chicken was served directly over a roti. As vegetarians, we had nothing to eat except a handful of salad," lamented another passenger. The conditions were particularly alarming for families with infants and elderly members.
Despite the dire circumstances, passengers noted that the flight crew had been provided hotel accommodations, which further fueled their frustration. "We heard that the crew was given a place to rest, but no one cared about us, even the kids and the elderly. We were treated like prisoners, confined to the terminal," said a passenger traveling with an 8-month-old infant.
In response to the growing unrest, Virgin Atlantic issued multiple apology emails but failed to provide substantial assistance on the ground. The airline stated, "The safety and security of our customers and crew remains our highest priority, and we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused." They assured passengers that they were actively exploring options for an alternative aircraft to ensure they could reach Mumbai as soon as possible.
As the situation unfolded, the Indian Embassy in Ankara stepped in, stating they were in continuous contact with the Diyarbakir Airport Directorate and related authorities to coordinate efforts for the stranded passengers. They tweeted, "Embassy of India, Ankara, is in continuous contact with the Diyarbakir Airport Directorate and related authorities. All possible coordination and efforts are being made to take care of the stranded passengers."
On the morning of April 4, the airline announced that flight VS1358 would resume its journey from Diyarbakir Airport at approximately 12:00 PM local time, with an expected arrival in Mumbai at around 8:30 PM local time. However, passengers remained skeptical about the airline's assurances.
Political figures, including Mumbai politician Preeti Sharma Menon, who was also on the flight, voiced concerns about the treatment of passengers. She highlighted the presence of pregnant women and elderly individuals among the stranded group, stating, "It’s been 24 hours and not a single airline representative has met the passengers. They have barely any food, one toilet amongst 275 pax, phones running out of batteries as they don’t have Turkish adapters. There are babies, pregnant women, diabetics, and old people in this ordeal."
As the hours turned into days, the situation at the airport became increasingly chaotic. Passengers were reportedly not allowed to leave the terminal due to visa issues, leaving them feeling trapped and helpless. Many took to social media to express their desperation, with some even likening their situation to a hostage crisis. A pregnant woman shared her distress, saying, "I have had no food. I am four months pregnant. They have supplied only rice. Everybody is suffering. Please help us."
Finally, on the night of April 3, passengers were moved to a hotel, providing some respite from the harsh conditions they had endured. Virgin Atlantic confirmed that the majority of customers were provided with overnight hotel accommodations ahead of their onward journey. However, the airline's lack of communication and support during the crisis has left many passengers feeling abandoned.
As the situation continues to evolve, stranded passengers are hoping for a swift resolution and a return to Mumbai. The ordeal has raised questions about airline responsibilities during emergencies and the need for better communication and support for passengers in distress.
